Fibromyalgia is a disease characterized by chronic and prolonged pain throughout the body. This syndrome was previously thought to be the product of a somatization disorder, in which the patient constantly complains of symptoms that have no apparent origin. Since 1992 it has been considered a disease by the World Health Organization. At FastlyHeal, we explain the symptoms, causes, and treatments for Fibromyalgia.
Table of Contents
Symptoms
The most noticeable symptom of this condition is pain in the neck, chest, thighs, hips, elbows, and knees that can increase with physical exercise; although the pain does not cause damage to these joints, that sensation is perceived. Pain tends to get better during the day and worse at night; it is also worse in cold weather and in times of stress and anxiety.
Feeling fatigued is another of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia; people who suffer from it find it challenging to develop daily tasks; this fatigue can affect both professional and family development. This also influences sleep quality; for people who have this disease, it is difficult to get a deep and restful sleep. Depression, migraines, and concentration problems can signify this condition as long as there is pain in the areas described above.
Causes
There is no specific cause; what is more likely is that there are elements that trigger Fibromyalgia. In some people, it can develop for no apparent reason; in others, it can initiate this condition due to infections, traffic accidents, or suffering from a previous disease. These diseases can be lupus, spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
It is believed that its origin may be neurological and that the pain results from an imbalance in the central nervous system. Other scientists believe that it may be due to genetics since it is usually widespread in several members of the same family. What is proven is that Fibromyalgia is more common in women between the ages of 20 and 50.
Treatment
Fibromyalgia does not have a definitive cure; what is tried in the treatment is to calm the pain and other symptoms. Better results can be obtained if you treat with doctors of different specialties who are more related to this condition. Physical therapy, exercises, and relaxation techniques are the first treatment to deal with Fibromyalgia.
If not, drug treatment is also an option; as long as it is prescribed by your doctor, antidepressants and muscle relaxants are the most used in these cases, as they help withstand more pain and improve sleep quality. Analgesics and anticonvulsants can also be used. Finally, the doctor may suggest a pain clinic to treat it more deeply if the symptoms worsen.
Other measures you can take are:
- Eating habits are essential; prefer healthy foods and avoid caffeine.
- Acupuncture treatments can be an option to treat pain.
- Good sleep hygiene is also essential to improve its quality.
- Make exercises, preferably low impact, such as walking, cycling, and swimming.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Fibromyalgia: symptoms, causes and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Bones, Joints and Muscles category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.